Difo, Grace, Jordan among Nats' first camp cuts

By Pete Kerzel

Nationals

March 10, 2016, 10:07am

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VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of spring camp, with infielder Wilmer Difo, left-hander Matt Grace and right-hander Taylor Jordan optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Additionally, right-handers Taylor Hill and Paolo Espino and catchers Raudy Read and Brian Jerolomon have been reassigned to minor league camp.

"A couple guys were surprised because they were such early cuts, but some of the guys need some work," manager Dusty Baker said.

Difo, one of the organization's most promising infield prospects, hit .300 with a home run and three RBIs in seven spring games. But with the infield pretty set and the only competition at shortstop, a battle where he's not really a factor, Baker decided to give at-bats and innings to other players.

"He's a young player and he's already taken some tremendous steps," Baker said of Difo. "He got here in a hurry. ... I really like his game - a switch-hitter. Has to stay out of the air because he gets, like all of us, enamored of the home run trot. We like his game, but he has to work a little more at second base."

Difo struggled in the field during Grapefruit League games, making a team-high three errors. Two of the errors came at second base, the other when he was playing shortstop. He was pressed into service at the major league level last season, with four separate stints in Washington, where he batted .182 in 15 games.

At Syracuse, Difo will play mostly second base and could form a double play combination with shortstop prospect Trea Turner.